Ginebra coach Tim Cone said there is more to basketball than just shooting even as Justin Brownlee nailed five four-pointers against San Miguel in Game 1.
For the nth time, Justin Brownlee saved the day for Ginebra in a one-sided 122-105 win over San Miguel in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Brownlee drained five four-pointers — the most by any player so far — with three coming in the pivotal third period where he dropped 20 huge points.
He finished with 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a steal.
While Ginebra owed a lot to Brownlee's touch from the four-point line, Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone is still not fond of the newest shot from 27 feet.
“Just because it favors our team having Justin around and making those doesn’t mean I’m a fan of the four-point line,” said Cone shortly after his side's victory at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Justin Brownlee makes San Miguel pay for wide-open looks in rousing semis start for Brgy. Ginebra]
For the 25-time PBA champion coach, there’s more to basketball than taking shots from long range.
“I think we’re kind of devolving into that idea that we’re going to be a three or four-point shooting game. There’s so much more in the game,” said Cone.
“There’s cutting, there’s screening, there’s the defensive side, the ability to pass… Those things are really big part of the game as well.”
The four-point shot, Cone added, sends a message to the aspiring ballers to just learn the art of shooting instead of focusing on the equally important fundamentals.
“I think with the four-point shot — it’s just my personal opinion — I think we’re putting the pressure on young kids to come out and just shoot, learn to shoot and that’s good enough. I think the game is more than that. So that’s why I don’t agree with it,” Cone said.
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But since the league is implementing it and he has guys at his disposal who can score from there, Cone has no problem taking advantage of that.
“If it’s out there, we’re going to use it as a weapon. But that doesn’t necessarily mean I agree with the implementation," he said.